About New World Montessori School

Faculty & Staff

All New World Montessori School teachers have college degrees with post-graduate training at internationally accredited Montessori training centers. The teachers are certified by the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale), and elementary teachers receive additional training at AMI Institutes in Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee, WI.

Our teachers and assistants are experienced, knowledgeable, committed and caring. Their love for children, dedication to teaching and enthusiasm create a truly wonderful environment to nurture a child's love of learning.

Priscilla Bovee
School Director and Elementary Teacher

Priscilla has been with New World Montessori School since its inception in 1975. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Marquette University, Priscilla studied under Hildegard Solzbacher at the Midwest Montessori Institute, obtaining her Primary Montessori certification in 1975. Miss Solzbacher then offered Priscilla a position on the New World faculty. Priscilla received her elementary Montessori training in Washington, D.C. in 1983. She became Administrator of New World upon Miss Solzbacher’s retirement in 1992. Priscilla lives in Fox Point with her husband Roy and her children, Gregory and Renee, both former New World Montessori School students.

Marilyn Froze
Primary Teacher

Marilyn received her BA degree in Children’s Theatre/Creative Dramatics from Carroll College in 1975. She completed her Montessori training under the direction of Hildegard Solzbacher at the Midwest Montessori Institute in June of 1976, receiving her AMI Primary certification. Marilyn has been teaching ever since. She first worked at Green Bay Montessori Children’s World. There she assisted in the merger of two Montessori schools and helped develop the extended-day program. Marilyn also taught in Park Ridge, Illinois before returning to Milwaukee to teach at New World Montessori. She lives in Bayside with her children, Brittany and Scott, both former New World Montessori School students, along with their three dogs. Marilyn loves working out at the WAC, gardening, and her visits to northwest Wisconsin to visit her family on Long Lake.

Monica Ray
Primary & Elementary Assistant; Master Gardener

Monica attended the University of Western Ontario studying English and History. She was inspired to earn her AMI primary certification while living with her husband in Bergamo, Italy while he was earning his AMI certification. She graduated from the Midwest Montessori Institute in 1990 and taught in Key West, Florida for two years. She has assisted and taught at New World Montessori School since 2001. Monica has recently joined Milwaukee Collaboratory, a group devoted to sustainability and education. She is trying to find ways to bring sustainable practices into the classroom and provide hands-on lessons through gardening. Monica has also studied photography at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario and enjoys sailing and hockey.

Pam Ruppa
Primary Teacher

Pam has a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Psychology and English. She received her Montessori training at the Washington Montessori Institute, and has been a Montessori teacher since 1981. Pam joined New World Montessori School in 2001. She lives in Whitefish Bay with her husband, Paul and their two children, JoAnna and Andy,former Montessori students. The Ruppa family also shares their home with a Labrador dog. Pam enjoys traveling to the east coast to visit family, reading, and watching her children participate in numerous sports such as soccer, softball, and snowboarding. She is an advisor to eight high school girls for Service Clubs of Milwaukee.

Stacy Knapp
Elementary Teacher

Stacy Knapp completed her bachelor degree in fine arts in 2005 from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Her previous experience working with preschoolers, coupled with her studies of societal pressures and media influence, drew her to Montessori. She has worked for three years as a Montessori teacher while pursuing her formal Montessori training. Stacy enjoys drawing, sculpting and photography. She believes art allows her to observe the world in many different lights, a useful skill when interacting with children.

See a full list of New World Montessori Faculty & Staff (168 KB)